Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Sprite Update /Creatinine Testing /More Lives than a Cat

Our senior dachshund Sprite has been experiencing a lot of ups and downs as he continues to deal with kidney failure. Sprite will be 16 1/2 in June and has had renal failure since at least January this year. In the last 2-3 weeks, he's been unable to hold his urine and has been either waking us up several times in the middle of the night or going on old towels in the house (he stays in the kitchen since his symptoms have increased). He's very responsible and really conscientious.

Sprite

Sunday morning, he had to "go" about 7 times in 6 hours - so we knew his condition advanced. Last week, there was blood in his urine. Both of these things are signs of advancement of failure. So, on Monday, Rob took a sample to the vet to be tested for levels of Creatinine, etc. RESULTS: Sprite has an infection in his kidneys, which is common for dogs dealing with kidney failure, so he's now on antibiotics. It could easily recur, and then we'd have to take other steps.MORE LIVES THAN A CAT:
He also seems to have more lives than a cat! Several times over the
last year we thought he wouldn't be with us much longer, and now he's
used up another "life" (and of course we're so happy that he's got
something that can be dealt with for now).
It turns out that when kidneys are failing they tend to cause infections. So, we're treating the infection with antibiotic. He hasn't had any accidents in the house in the last couple of days, so that's a good sign. We honestly don't know how long he'll be with us, given his condition and advanced age, but as long as he's not in pain, we're happy.

FYI - INFO ABOUT TESTING:
If you have a dog, and you don't know what that is, now you will. The most common blood tests used to diagnose kidney disease are Creatinine and BUN (also called Urea Nitrogen). However, several other standard blood test results also provide information about kidney disease, including Phosphorus, Calcium, and the Sodium:Potassiumratio.
WHAT IT MEANS: When creatinine is elevated above the normal range (usually around 1.6
mg/dL, or 141 µmol/L), this generally means that there is a problem
with the kidneys. EARLY KIDNEY FAILURE LEVELS: In general, creatinine values up to around 2.0 (177 µmol/L) are indicative of mild, or early stage, kidney disease MODERATE KIDNEY FAILURE LEVELS: Values from around 2.0 up to about 5.0 (177-442 µmol/L) are more
significant, but it is still likely that your dog may not be showing
any symptoms SEVERE KIDNEY FAILURE: Values above 5.0 (442 µmol/L) indicate more severe kidney failure, and
are often accompanied by clinical signs such as vomiting and lack of
appetite. At this stage, fluids can be very important, especially when
your dog is vomiting, and your dog may even need to be hospitalized for
IV fluids (I personally feel it is best to bring them home at night,
even if they need to stay at the vet's during the day, if at all
possible). Antacids
(Pepcid, Zantac or Tagamet) and Carafate (anti-ulcer medication) should
be given, along with Reglan (metoclopramide) for vomiting if needed,
with your vet's approval.

Gift/Memorial Suggestions

Several of our friends have lost loved ones (human and pets) and we found that one of the best ways to honor their memory is to give to an animal charity. What better way to recognize a life of love, than by giving another life a chance for love? We donate to many animal rescues, but because we volunteer with DC Weimaraner Rescue and Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue, those are our 2 favorites. Consider giving the chance of life to a dog or cat.

Rob's latest books on Amazon.com

Book 2: Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead

Rob's 1st book Updated for 2016!

We met Brian Sims!

State Representative Brian K. Sims is a distinguished policy attorney and civil rights advocate from Center City Philadelphia

Menagerie Monday

Franklin, Tyler and Dolly

The BEST England Tour Agent

If you're looking for the perfect tour agent to organize your vacation to England, you've got to go with "Across the Pond Vacations." Anne Marie Clarke put our trip together and found the most interesting and unique places for our interests (Tudor family history and ghosts). Go to: www.atpvacations.com

Rob's Fav Pic from Baltimore Comic-Con 2013

Taking a Rest

Franklin and Dolly take a rest on the Mass./Connecticut Border

Franklin Sends You a Happy Wink

"Check out our Dog Rescues Below"

Tracking Our Dog Rescue Assists

We work with Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue and D.C. Weimaraner Rescues and Bonney Blue Rescue and foster or transport dogs as often as we can (and when they mix well with our 3 kids). Here's a list of the dogs we fostered or transported:Gracie - Transported - a Beagle Mix adopted in western MD2 Unnamed Dachshunds -Transported - rescued from a breeder (we watched for 3 days) sent on to permanent foster homesCooper#1 the Dachshund - Fostered - 2-26-09 -We fostered this lovable black and tan wire-haired, easy-going, lovable senior and he was Adopted by our friends Bob and Arlene in MD in April 2009Buddy the Weimaraner - Transport 9-27-09 - We transported Buddy from no. VA to White Marsh, MD where we met Buddy's new mom Cathy from Philly. Sprite the Dachshund -Fostered and We Adopted! 12-4-10 We picked up almost 14 yr old Sprite in Frederick, Md from a rescue transporter on 12-4-10 and we fostered him. We adopted Sprite in April 2011 when we learned of his heart murmur. (Sprite passed 7-8-13 at 16 1/2 years old)Chance the Weimaraner - Rescue from shelter and Fostered- 6-10-12 - We freed Chance from the PG County Animal Shelter, and fostered through DC Area Weim Rescue. We covered his hip surgery and fostered Chance, while helping him walk again. He was adopted by our friends Whitney and Mike in PA on 7-29-12Cooper#2 the Dachshund - Fostered 9-24-15 - We fostered this little guy and he was adopted by Shayne in MD after we had Cooper for just a couple of weeks.Tuck (mix) - 5-7-13 - Transported Huck for Bonnie Blue Rescue. He came from a CT shelter, and we picked hi up in Baltimore and brought him to his new dad and mom, our friends Jon & Erin in VATyler (Dachshund) - 12-17-12- FOSTERED & WE ADOPTED! We took in and fostered Tyler a 2 year old black and tan dachshund who came from a kill shelter in NC. Our friend Robert drove there and picked him up. (read the blog: First Night with Tyler the Foster from 12-17-12) - We realized how he bonded with our Weimaraner Dolly, so we adopted him in May 2013 through the rescue.Charlie (Dachshund)- Rescue from shelter and transported to foster mom April in Md. *April adopted Charlie!* Rocco(Dachshund puppy) -Rescue from shelter and transported, we brought to foster mom Kristin in Oct.Abu -(Dachshund mix) - Rescue from shelter and transported to Emily for foster home in Delaware in Oct. Doc, now Duncan(Dachshund mix)- Rescue from shelter and transported to Katie for fostering. Duncan was adopted. Reds - Rescue from shelter and transported - This long-haired, senior red Chihuahua to Katie for transport to a Senior dog rescue in VirginiaHappy and Sami- Transported from College Park, Md to Springfield, VA (Jan. 2013)Gus -Worked with at Rescue Event - April brought Gus to us to appear at an adoption event at Pet Value, Gambrills, Md. Max -Transported. Part of a transport from White Marsh, Md. to Bowie, Md. to foster mom April in southern Maryland.JJ - Transport to adopting family This tiny 8 pound dog was transported from Washington, D.C. to Towson, Md. where we did a home visit and completed the adoption to a great familyJethro- Home inspection for DASH Rescue to place this doxie/chihuahua mix.Grayson -Worked with at Rescue Event -Worked with this 12 yr old senior Weimaraner at the Pet Valu, Gambrills, md adoption event! Heath - Transported. 9-2014a 10 year old black/tan dachshund we fostered for 3 days (who wound up being afraid of men- and went to another foster home.

Mack- Fostered 10-2014 **Adopted in Dec. 2014!**fostered from Oct. 27 until he was adopted in Dec. from Connie and Poul.Saylor - transport 12-14-14 (being fostered in Annapolis, Md thru DASH Rescue.) ~ 15lbs, 2 years, male/neutered, red smooth doxie, Heartworm negative (thankfully) & up to date on vaccines ___ sassy little man!Dapple - Transported. 12-14-14 (being fostered in Annapolis, Md thru DASH Rescue.)is a black and tan dachshund with some dapple coloring, and also 2 years old, 14 lbs. female/spayed, silver-dapple smooth doxie.Phillie - Transported. 5-2-15 A 12 yr old, sweet brown, smooth dog, to foster care because his parents "have 3 small kids and can't handle the dog." We brought him from White Marsh, MD to Alexandria, VA. (Going from NJ to TN where he is being fostered through Coast to Coast Dachshund RescueHarry -Transported. 5-23-15 the black and tan/dapple, 6 year old dachshund from White Marsh, MD to foster mom, April, southeast of Washington, DC- Trooper- Transported. 6-12-15 - This brown dapple, 2 year old dachshund came from a kill shelter in Alabama and was headed to NJ to a foster home thru DASH rescue. Milo and Max 8-2-15 Fostered and Transported *Adopted 9-1-15* This senior pair of Dachshunds came from a divorced home in Indiana and were transported to us through Ohio and our friend Scott "Bear" Elliott and many others. Milo was fostered by our friend April.. and we fostered Max and our friend April fostered Milo. They were BOTH adopted by Cindy! Adoption Story: http://tinyurl.com/osz2px8Oscar - Transported 11-21-15 - This precious senior 9 year old mini-Dachshund was given up by his family because their daughter "developed allergies." (The girl should've taken Benadryl and dealt with it). We were the first transporter and it was a heart-wrenching event. Story: http://tinyurl.com/zzjp9lnOtis -Home Visit - March 2016 - We did a home visit to Nancy who adopted this handsome little Dachshund Mix through Dachshund Rescue of No. America.Cleveland and Tommy- Sept. 2016 - We had these guys overnight a couple of nights, and drove Tommy to York, PA for his foster home. We also got Cleveland to his foster home in Maryland. Both were 5 yr old, sweet, red smooth Dachshunds. Coco and Hansel - Feb. 2017 - We drove up to Delaware together to get them. and then wound up later transporting them locally to their forever home. Winnie and Tuck - Spring 2017- We placed this mom and son in forever homes in Virginia and Maryland.Hercules - July 2017 - He didn't go through the rescue because we learned of him through a friend of a friend, and our friends Bob and Arlene were seeking to adopt, so they did!